Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for Iraq

Probabilistic seismic hazard assessments (PSHA) form the basis for calculating seismic loads in most contemporary seismic provisions in building codes around the world. The current building code of Iraq, which was published in 1997, is currently undergoing a significant engineering update. This study was undertaken in order to support the building code update and to satisfy the need in Iraq for a contemporary assessment of seismic hazard in terms of spectral accelerations. Seismic source characterization largely relies on a newly compiled earthquake catalog since sufficiently detailed information is not available on active faulting in the country even though there are numerous known active faults. There is also a lack of locally recorded strong-motion data. As a result, we make use of attenuation tomography studies in the region to compare local attenuation characteristics with that in other parts of the world where ground-motion prediction equations are available for use in PSHA. For most of the country, the attenuation of 1HzLg waves indicates an attenuation rate that is slower than active tectonic regions but faster than stable continental regions. Hence, we use ground-motion prediction equations from active tectonic and stable continental regions, weighted equally. The PSHA results are presented for a 2% chance of being exceeded in 50 years and on a reference ground condition of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) site class B. The probability level and reference ground conditions were selected to be consistent with the update of Iraq’s building code. The largest hazard, and consequently the design ground motions, is in the northern cities of Sulaymaniyah and Erbil, consistent with the fact that they are the two urban areas closest to major tectonic features to the north and east of Iraq. Additionally, the Badra–Amarah fault zone is a significant contributor to seismic hazard in the country; therefore, urban areas near it exhibit high seismic hazard.